Mating behaviour of Trichouropoda ovalis (Acari: Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Trematuridae) with notes on phylogeny of reproductive biology in the Parasitiformes

Abstract

Reproductive biology of mites is diverse and of phylogenetic importance. Here, we describe the mating phases of Trichouropoda ovalis (C.L. Koch, 1839) and discuss them in the context of known mating sequences of Parasitiformes. Mites were observed using IP (internet protocol) video camera. We identified six phases of mating in T. ovalis. In T. ovalis we found that: (1) mating initiation, formation of spermatophore, and transfer using male’s chelicerae, were similar to that described for other Parasitiformes; (2) similar to most of the parasitiform mites, specimens assumed venter-to-venter position during mating. Then their bodies were repositioned and ventral sides were set up at an angle to provide sufficient space for growing of the spermatophore, as found only in one uropodine species so far; (3) time of spermatophore formation was considerably shorter than in other uropodine taxa, but similar to some of other parasitiform mites studied up to now; (4) time of spermatophore transfer and semen uptake time (sperm pumping) were shorter, compared to other Uropodina studied till now; and (5) semen uptake mechanism differed from other uropodine taxa because of use of ventral side pressing of both mating specimens, while other Uropodina use epigynial movements or palps/chelicerae during sperm pumping. The use of unspecialized chelicerae during spermatophore transfer in Uropodina was confirmed, which suggests that this behaviour is a plesiomorphic character of Parasitiformes.

Keywords:

• soil mites
• Parasitiformes
• tocospermy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Jerry Krantz (Oregon State University, US), Heather Proctor (University of Alberta, Canada), Dave Walter (Royal Alberta Museum, Canada), Chuleui Jung (Andong National University, Korea), and Daria Bajerlein (Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland) for their help during work on this article. We are also grateful to our colleagues Katarzyna Faleńczyk-Koziróg and Ewa Szymańska-Stachowiak for their input during preparation of article as well as help with collecting of research material.